Sunderland's best and worst managers since 1973 - ranked by win percentage
It’s never dull at Sunderland when it comes to managers.
By Joe Ramage
Published 23rd Sep 2021, 12:00 BST
Updated 23rd Sep 2021, 17:37 BST
Whether it be fighting for promotion of fighting to stave off relegation Sunderland managers always have an expectation upon them.
But which Sunderland managers have exceeded those expectations and which haven’t?
Here we take a look back over the previous 29 permanent Sunderland managers since Bob Stokoe’s side famously lifted the FA Cup in 1973 and rank them based on their win percentage.
The list does not include those who have been in interim charge.
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Here we take a look back over the previous 29 permanent Sunderland managers since Bob Stokoe’s side famously lifted the FA Cup in 1973 and rank them based on their win percentage.
5. David Moyes – July 2016 – May 2017 – 18.6%
If anyone could fill the shoes vacated by Sam Allardyce the hope was Moyes could do just that. With the club on a huge crest of a wave of momentum having survived the drop from the Premier League, Moyes came with anticipation of moving the club onto the next level. But the Scotsman would end up being the man who oversaw the clubs relegation from the Premier League having admitted his side were in a relegation battle after just two games of the season. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
6. Dick Advocaat – March 2015 – October 2015 – 21.05%
Advocaat was a manager who became well thought of by the Sunderland faithful after he guided the Black Cats to safety in the final weeks of the 2014-15 season including sealing a fifth derby success over the Newcastle United. The former Dutch national manager was in part persuaded to remain at the club after supporters raised money to send his wife flowers during the summer of 2015. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty images) Photo: Ian MacNicol
7. Paolo Di Canio – March 2013 – October 2013 – 23.08%
The Italian was very much an ‘outside-of-the-box’ appointment after his initial success as a manger at Swindon Town. Di Canio’s high standards help persevere Sunderland’s top flight status but would also be his undoing the following season. Just don’t mention tomato ketchup. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
8. Ricky Sbragia – December 2008 – May 2009 – 23.08%
Sbragia was tasked with replacing Keane with the sole task of maintaining Sunderland’s Premier League status – a feat he achieved on the final day of the season despite losing 3-2 to Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. Sbragia celebrated the occasion by resigning as manager winning six of his 26 games. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) Photo: Matthew Lewis